Poland aims to lure back talented scientists

Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin on Wednesday launched a pilot programme aiming to tempt talented Polish scientists working abroad to return to their home country.

Jarosław Gowin. Photo: PAP/Marcin Kmieciński

Gowin, who is also minister for science and higher education, said that over the last dozen years or so, several thousand Polish scientists had left for universities around the world.

"Regardless of their age, regardless of their professional position up to now, we want to provide them with financial conditions… so that they carry out their ground-breaking scientific discoveries and research in Poland," said Gowin.

Scientists deciding to return to their home country as part of the "Polish returns" programme will have “attractive” salaries for four years, the opportunity to create their own research teams and will have their relocation costs paid for them, the IAR news agency reported.

PLN 2 million (USD 592,000, EUR 477,000) will be earmarked for each scientist returning to Poland, IAR added.